Private Project

Weekend One

Amari, a 35-year-old father, moves into an unfinished flat with his two young sons, facing an uphill battle over a tough first weekend. As he wrestles with the emotional and financial weight of providing for his family, feelings of shame and inadequacy test his resolve. Amid the struggles of masculinity and fatherhood, Amari fights to be the strong role model his boys need, even as he’s barely keeping it together.

  • Mykea Fairweather Perry
    Director
    Packing Away, Sharing
  • Mykea Fairweather Perry
    Writer
    Packing Away, Sharing
  • Sanjana Pathania
    Producer
    The Blue Faraway
  • Shaq B Grant
    Key Cast
    "Amari "
    The Flatshare, Macbeth, The Box
  • Maxwell Smith
    Key Cast
    "Jamal"
  • Azariah Gray
    Key Cast
    "Kieran"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family, SocialRealism, Black British
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 13, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Alexa Mini LF
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:66
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Director Biography - Mykea Fairweather Perry

Mykea Fairweather Perry is a bi-racial filmmaker from Southeast London and a recent graduate of the Directing Fiction course from the National Film and Television School. Mykea is a Sundance Ignite Fellow, whose passion lies in telling authentic, personal stories that amplify underrepresented voices and bring rarely seen characters to the screen.

His recent projects have screened internationally at BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying festivals, garnering critical recognition. Mykea is working on an exciting slate of ambitious short films while developing his debut feature film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

‘Weekend one’ is a deeply personal film for me, that draws from my own experiences spent with my mother when we moved home and county. I was profoundly affected by her strength, the emotional labor she invested in keeping our family intact, and the subtle ways she navigated the challenges of parenthood. Through this film, I wanted to reflect on the complexity of being a parent.
Originally, the story was conceived around the character of a mother, but during the development process, I felt a strong urge to shift the focus to a Black father. I wanted to create a portrayal of a man who, while wrestling with deep insecurities, is ultimately striving to be the best parent he can be in difficult circumstances. Black fathers are often depicted in stereotypical and negative ways when on screen, something I wanted to push back against. Amari, the protagonist, is a man who doing the best he can in a rough situation, fighting against financial strains and racial abuse. All whilst trying to hold it together for his children.
The struggles Amari faces—dealing with the emotional and financial weight of fatherhood, grappling with societal expectations of masculinity, and trying to protect his children from the reality of his own internal battles—are universal. But within this specific lens, I aimed to portray a Black father who does not fit into the traditional tropes often seen in cinema. Instead, I wanted to show a fair and honest depiction of fatherhood, grounded in love, sacrifice, and resilience. It is a story of someone who, despite the odds, continues to fight for the future of his children, even when he feels he is barely keeping it together.
I believe in the power of personal stories to break through barriers, and “Weekend One” is my attempt to contribute a genuine narrative that reflects the humanity, complexity, and quiet strength of Black parents.